Description
A velvety hot chocolate studded with sweet cherry flavor — made easy in the slow cooker. Perfect for cozy nights and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ gallon whole milk
- 11 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 oz jar maraschino cherries (use both fruit and syrup — about 23 cherries, ~¾ cup liquid)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
To garnish (optional)
- Whipped cream
- Extra cherries
Instructions
- Pour the milk into your slow cooker. Add the chocolate chips, the entire jar of cherries (including the syrup), cocoa powder, and sugar. Give everything a good stir so the dry ingredients start to dissolve.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours, stirring about every 20–30 minutes so the chocolate melts evenly and nothing scorches. The higher heat helps pull the cherry flavor into the drink.
- When the mixture is hot, fully melted, and fragrant, taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Ladle into mugs and top with a swirl of whipped cream and a cherry or two.
Notes
- Notes & swaps
- For a richer cup use half-and-half or heavy cream in place of some of the milk; for a lighter result choose low-fat milk.
- If you prefer a deeper chocolate note, try dark chocolate chips — you may want to add a touch more sugar after tasting.
- For a less neon cherry taste and a darker, more sophisticated cherry flavor, swap maraschinos for Luxardo (or other preserved cherries).
- No cherry juice? A tablespoon or two of grenadine will boost cherry flavor.
- Serving ideas
- Finish each mug with a drizzle of chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
- Toasted marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or crushed cookies make fun toppings.
- Offer a small hot cocoa bar so guests can customize: extra cherries, liqueur options for adults, flavored syrups, etc.
- Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 5 days (or freeze up to 2 months). Rewarm gently on the stove over low heat, stirring and adding a splash of milk if it’s too thick.
Nutrition
- Calories: 470kcal
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 96mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 31mg